Option selection is the second required skill when selling call and put options. On 9/26/2017, George shared with me a trade he executed with Biogen, Inc. (BIIB). An in-the-money strike was sold and share price immediately accelerated. George was inquiring about how deep in-the-money (ITM) the strike prices should be set. George’s initial trade […]
Writing Naked Calls on Poorly-Performing Stocks
Selling covered calls and cash-secured puts are the main strategies highlighted in our BCI community. Much of the information disseminated on the Blue Collar site, books and DVDs is based on member feedback, inquiries and comments. In September 2017, Marc sent me an email question about selling naked (without owning the underlying security before selling […]
Ask Alan #145 – Evaluating a Losing Covered Call Trade
Alan answers a question posed by Kevin, who asks: Most of my trades have been winning ones but I had one go south. I would like to learn from this trade so I’m hoping you can help me learn how to handle it tactically and emotionally. Here it is: 12/20/17: Buy 200 x GRUB at […]
Inverse Exchange-Traded Funds versus Shorting Stocks
In bear markets, one of the tools we can benefit from with our covered call writing and put-selling strategies is inverse exchange-traded funds (ETFs). An inverse ETF is also known as a short ETF or a bear ETF. These securities are constructed to return the exact opposite performance of a certain benchmark or index. Many […]
Reasons for Early Exercise
Our covered call writing and put-selling options can be exercised at any time from the moment we sell these options until 4 PM ET on expiration Friday. This is the definition of American Style Options, the type associated with our stocks and exchange-traded funds. Early exercise (prior to contract expiration) is rare because option holders […]
Special 1-Time Cash Dividends and Strike Prices of American Depository Receipts (ADRs)
Contract adjustments for covered call writing and put-selling are not uncommon events and we must be prepared when they occur. From time to time a certain corporate event will take place that will alter the terms of an equity options contract, making it different from the original standardized terms such as the number of deliverable […]
Hitting a Double with News-Related Market Overreactions
Stock selection, option selection and position management are the 3 required skills for covered call writing and put-selling. One of our go-to exit strategies is “hitting a double” where we buy back the original option sold if share price declines and then re-sell that same option as share price recovers. Stock prices whipsaw and that […]
Protecting Unrealized Profits When Share Price Accelerates
Covered call writing dilemmas can frequently result from positive circumstances. In August 2017, Vincent shared a trade he executed where an out-of-the-money strike was sold and share price had moved up significantly and was approaching the strike price. This means that Vincent realized an initial option premium return plus had an unrealized share appreciation component […]
Stocks Moving On and Off our Premium Stock List: A Technical Perspective
When we select stocks for covered call writing or selling cash-secured puts we factor in fundamental, technical and common-sense screens (like minimum trading volume). This screening process is the foundation of our Premium Stock Reports. Frequently we will notice stocks removed from these lists only to return shortly thereafter. The reason for these whipsaws are […]
Stock Splits Can Cause Panic: Relax, All is Well
You write a covered call on a stock trading at $165.00 and sell the $170.00 call option. A few days later, your stock is trading at $28.00 and the strike you sold no longer appears on option chains. What do we do? Panic? Curl up into the fetal position and feel sorry for ourselves? Research […]
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The New Stock Market- Algorithmic and High Speed Trading
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Options That Expire Weekly and Conventional Expiration Cycles
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Why the 3% Guideline Applies to Puts but Not to Call Options
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Earnings Pre-Announcements Explained and Categorized
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Tax Implications of Writing Covered Calls against Long-Term Holdings
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Jay Hi Joanna, Welcome if new here! You will find m
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MarioG Found some interesting web sites this week. Com
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Joanna I'm planning on taking my first shot at cover
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